Terms and Conditions

Terms & Conditions
Tapologo River Lodge, Limpopo-Lipadi Private Wildlife & Wilderness Reserve, Tuli Block, Botswana

These Terms & Conditions apply to bookings made with Tapologo River Lodge and should be read together with the rates, inclusions and booking conditions applicable to your reservation.

1. The Company
Tapologo River Lodge is operated by Tapologo Lodge (Pty) Ltd, a company incorporated in Botswana under UIN BW00009069974 (“Tapologo”, “we”, “us” or “our”).

Our registered and/or trading details are available on request.

2. Making a Booking
A booking may be made directly with Tapologo, through our website, or through an authorised travel advisor, tour operator or booking partner.

A reservation is considered confirmed once:

we have accepted the reservation in writing; and
any deposit or payment required under the applicable booking conditions has been received.
The person making the booking confirms that they are authorised to make the booking on behalf of all guests included in the reservation and accepts these Terms & Conditions on their behalf.

Where a booking is made through a travel advisor, tour operator or other booking partner, additional terms may apply between the guest and that party.

3. Rates
Rates are quoted in the currency stated on the applicable rate sheet, booking platform or booking confirmation.

Unless otherwise stated, Tapologo is offered on an exclusive-use, fully catered basis for a maximum of 10 guests.

The rates, inclusions and exclusions applicable to a reservation will be those stated in the applicable rate sheet, offer or booking confirmation.

Rates may change without notice before a booking is confirmed. Once a booking has been confirmed, the agreed accommodation rate will be honoured unless the booking is subsequently amended by agreement between the parties or a change in government tax, levy or other statutory charge requires an adjustment.

4. Inclusions and Additional Services
The services included in your stay are described on our Rates page and/or in your booking confirmation.

Certain experiences, transfers, premium beverages, excursions, conservation activities and other services may carry an additional charge.

Some activities and services are provided by Limpopo-Lipadi Private Wildlife & Wilderness Reserve or other independent service providers and may be subject to availability, operational requirements, weather, wildlife conditions and separate safety requirements.

5. Deposits and Payment
Unless different terms are specified in your booking confirmation or applicable rate agreement:

a 25% non-refundable deposit is required within 14 days of making a provisional reservation; and
the remaining balance is payable no later than 60 days before arrival.
Bookings made within 60 days of arrival may require full payment at the time of confirmation.

A reservation may be released if payment is not received by the applicable due date.

All bank charges and transfer costs are the responsibility of the person making payment.

Any additional charges incurred during the stay must be settled before departure unless otherwise agreed in writing.

6. Cancellation
Unless different cancellation conditions are expressly stated in your booking confirmation, the following cancellation charges apply:

90–61 days before arrival: 35% of the total booking value
60–31 days before arrival: 65% of the total booking value
30 days or less before arrival: 100% of the total booking value
The initial deposit is non-refundable.

Cancellation or amendment requests must be made in writing and are effective once acknowledged by Tapologo.

No refund will normally be made for unused accommodation, meals, activities or other services where a guest arrives late, departs early or chooses not to participate in an included service or activity.

Where promotional, trade, group, resident or other special rates carry different payment or cancellation conditions, those conditions will be stated at the time of booking and will take precedence.

7. Changes to a Booking
We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate requested changes to confirmed bookings, subject to availability and any additional costs arising from the change.

Changes to dates, guest numbers or accommodation requirements may result in the booking being recalculated at the rate applicable to the revised reservation.

8. Children
Tapologo welcomes children aged 10 years and older.

Children under 10 may be accepted by prior written arrangement for exclusive-use bookings.

Parents and legal guardians remain responsible for the supervision and safety of children at all times.

Certain activities may have minimum age requirements or may be restricted where our guides or activity providers consider participation inappropriate for safety reasons.

9. Passports, Visas and Travel Requirements
Guests are responsible for ensuring that they hold valid passports, visas, permits, vaccinations and any other documentation required for travel to Botswana and any countries through which they travel.

Border, immigration, customs and veterinary requirements may change. Guests should check the applicable requirements before travelling.

Tapologo cannot accept responsibility for losses arising from a guest's failure to comply with applicable travel or entry requirements.

10. Travel and Medical Insurance
All guests are required to have comprehensive travel insurance appropriate to their journey, including adequate medical treatment, emergency evacuation and repatriation cover.

Insurance should also include, as appropriate:

cancellation and curtailment;
travel disruption and delay;
baggage and personal belongings; and
activities undertaken during the safari.
Guests should ensure that their insurance provides adequate cover for travel in a remote wilderness area.

11. Health and Medical Information
Tapologo is located in a remote wildlife reserve where access to advanced medical facilities may take considerable time.

Guests are responsible for assessing their own fitness to travel and participate in activities and should seek appropriate medical advice before travelling where necessary.

Guests should inform us in advance of any medical condition, allergy, mobility requirement or other circumstance that may reasonably affect their stay or participation in activities.

We will endeavour to accommodate individual requirements but cannot guarantee that every requirement can be met in a remote wilderness environment.

12. Wilderness and Wildlife
Tapologo is situated within the fenced Limpopo-Lipadi Private Wildlife & Wilderness Reserve. Tapologo River Lodge itself is unfenced, allowing wildlife within the reserve to move freely through the lodge grounds.

Wild animals may therefore be present around the lodge at any time, and wildlife encounters are inherently unpredictable.

Guests must follow instructions given by Tapologo staff, guides, reserve personnel and other authorised persons concerning wildlife and personal safety.

Guests should not approach, feed or interfere with wildlife and should exercise particular care when moving around the lodge after dark.

Participation in safari activities and travel within the reserve involves risks associated with wildlife, uneven terrain, weather, rivers, vehicles and the natural environment.

13. Safari Activities
Game drives, guided walks, rhino tracking, sleep-outs, conservation activities and other experiences may be affected by weather, wildlife movements, road conditions, conservation requirements, safety considerations and operational availability.

Wildlife is free-ranging within the reserve and sightings can never be guaranteed.

Tapologo and its service providers reserve the right to alter, postpone or cancel an activity where reasonably necessary for safety, conservation, weather or operational reasons.

The decision of the guide or responsible reserve personnel regarding safety during an activity is final.

14. Transfers and Third-Party Services
Where requested, Tapologo may assist guests in arranging road transfers, air transfers, excursions and other services supplied by independent third parties.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, such providers operate independently from Tapologo and their own terms and conditions may apply.

Tapologo will exercise reasonable care in selecting and coordinating service providers but cannot control events or services outside its own operations.

15. Changes Beyond Our Control
Travel in remote wilderness areas can occasionally be affected by circumstances outside our reasonable control, including severe weather, flooding, fire, road conditions, border closures, government action, civil disturbance, epidemics, failure of utilities or communications, transport disruption and other exceptional events.

Where such circumstances materially affect a booking, we will make reasonable efforts to provide suitable alternatives or rearrangements where practicable.

Tapologo will not be responsible for losses resulting solely from circumstances outside its reasonable control, except to the extent required by applicable law.

16. Guest Conduct and Damage
Guests are expected to behave responsibly and to respect the lodge, its staff, other people, wildlife and the surrounding environment.

We reserve the right to restrict an activity or, in serious circumstances, terminate a guest's stay where behaviour presents a material safety risk or causes serious disruption or damage.

Guests may be charged for loss or damage to lodge property caused deliberately or through negligent or unreasonable behaviour.

17. Personal Belongings
Guests remain responsible for their passports, money, valuables, electronic devices and other personal belongings.

Safes are provided for guest use.

Tapologo cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal belongings except where such loss or damage results from negligence for which Tapologo is legally responsible.

18. Liability
Tapologo will take reasonable care in providing the accommodation and services for which it is responsible.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions is intended to exclude or restrict any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded under the laws of Botswana.

Tapologo will not be responsible for loss, damage, injury, delay or additional expense resulting from circumstances outside its reasonable control or from the acts or omissions of independent third-party service providers, except where liability arises under applicable law.

Guests acknowledge the inherent risks associated with travel and activities in a remote wilderness and wildlife environment and agree to follow all reasonable safety instructions.

19. Photography and Privacy
Guests are welcome to take photographs and video for personal use, provided this does not interfere with wildlife, other guests, staff or reserve operations.

We respect the privacy of our guests and will handle personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable law.

We will not use identifiable images of guests for promotional purposes without appropriate permission.

20. Complaints and Problems During Your Stay
If a problem arises during your stay, please tell your host or a member of the Tapologo team as soon as possible so that we have an opportunity to address it.

Any complaint that cannot be resolved during the stay should be submitted to us in writing within a reasonable period following departure.

We will endeavour to resolve concerns fairly and promptly.

21. Website Information
We take reasonable care to ensure that information published on our website is accurate.

However, wildlife, landscapes, river conditions, activities, facilities and services in a remote wilderness environment may change from time to time. Photographs and descriptions are illustrative of the Tapologo experience but cannot constitute a guarantee of particular wildlife sightings, environmental conditions or experiences.

22. Governing Law
These Terms & Conditions and bookings made directly with Tapologo are governed by the laws of the Republic of Botswana.

Any dispute that cannot be resolved by agreement will be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of Botswana, subject to any rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

23. Variation
Any variation to the terms applying to a confirmed booking must be agreed in writing.

Tapologo may update these general Terms & Conditions from time to time. The terms applicable to a confirmed booking will normally be those in force when the booking was confirmed, except where a change is required by law.

24. Contact
For reservations, amendments or questions regarding these Terms & Conditions, please contact:

Tapologo River Lodge
Limpopo-Lipadi Private Wildlife & Wilderness Reserve
Tuli Block, Botswana

Email: enquiries@tapologoriverlodge.com

Last updated: September 2026